Gauges are going haywire, WTF

tireburner163 · 04-02-2004, 03:38 AM

I just bought a 93 notch a coupe of days ago, and I though the water temp gauge was screwed, it never moved past the L in NORMAL. Well me and TARZAN are riding around tonight and I look down and the gauge is pegged at 270* and I also notice that the voltmeter gauge is dead (but the battery light isn't on), and my tach is dead. I also notice that my check engine light and the AIR BAG light that constantly flashes aren't on either.

We pulled over and felt of the radiator, and it wasn't that hot, and it was full of coolant. I drove it 15 miles with the temp gauge pegged and it still ran find, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't really at 270*

My question is what would make the temp gauge peg as well as kill my tach, voltmeter, check engine light, and air bag warning light? The oil pressure gauge, and fuel level gauge still work.

What wiring should I check? sensors?

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

429mustang · 04-02-2004, 07:16 AM

Did you check the fuses?

crazypete · 04-02-2004, 09:16 AM

Well, the back of the console is fed by a pair of plugs that feed signals to the sensors via this sheet of plastic with metal traces on it (kinda like a flexible circuit board). Chances are, some water got in there and is shorting the leads from the tach into the temp guage and taking the juice from the ammeter. Since you didnt mention the fuel or oil guages going haywire, I would say the plug torwards the drivers side is the culprit. Check the traces from here. I think a visual inspection should reveal some burnt plastic.

Have fun!

04-02-2004, 03:38 AM	#1
tireburner163 It's a lot like a race car Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Meridian, MS Posts: 4,130	Gauges are going haywire, WTF I just bought a 93 notch a coupe of days ago, and I though the water temp gauge was screwed, it never moved past the L in NORMAL. Well me and TARZAN are riding around tonight and I look down and the gauge is pegged at 270* and I also notice that the voltmeter gauge is dead (but the battery light isn't on), and my tach is dead. I also notice that my check engine light and the AIR BAG light that constantly flashes aren't on either. We pulled over and felt of the radiator, and it wasn't that hot, and it was full of coolant. I drove it 15 miles with the temp gauge pegged and it still ran find, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't really at 270* My question is what would make the temp gauge peg as well as kill my tach, voltmeter, check engine light, and air bag warning light? The oil pressure gauge, and fuel level gauge still work. What wiring should I check? sensors? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. __________________ 1987 Buick T-type 1998 HD Electra Elide

04-02-2004, 07:16 AM	#2
429mustang Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: westerville, OH USA Posts: 618	Did you check the fuses? __________________ 1990 Notchback: BBK Ceramic Coated Full length headers, Dr. Gas 3"- 2 1/2" x-pipe, Flowmaster 40's/turndowns.

04-02-2004, 09:16 AM	#3
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	Well, the back of the console is fed by a pair of plugs that feed signals to the sensors via this sheet of plastic with metal traces on it (kinda like a flexible circuit board). Chances are, some water got in there and is shorting the leads from the tach into the temp guage and taking the juice from the ammeter. Since you didnt mention the fuel or oil guages going haywire, I would say the plug torwards the drivers side is the culprit. Check the traces from here. I think a visual inspection should reveal some burnt plastic. Have fun! __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

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